NAFC Certifications Offered, Requirements and Applications

CERTIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS, APPLICATIONS, and OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The National Association of Forensic Counselors (NAFC) is the first certification board to develop standards, requirements and examination for the very first Forensic Counselor and Criminal Justice Specialist certifications offered, establishing the Forensic Counselor profession and the Criminal Justice Specialist designations.

Due to the efforts and establishments made solely by NAFC, educational institutions now offer degrees in Forensic Counseling, and many national and state level boards have followed in the footsteps of NAFC by developing subsequent versions of the Forensic Counselor and Criminal Justice certification programs originally created by the NAFC.

All NAFC requirements must be met in order to become certified through NAFC. While NAFC does not require that a Candidate take any online or onsite course or training as part of its application process, the NAFC does offer certification training courses. Please contact 260-426-7234 for more information.

** A test-exempt Grandfathering period is now open for a limited for the below certifications.

If you are applying for any of the below certifications, please download the limited time, test-exempt Grandfathering Application. Both Clinical and non-clinical levels for all of the below are being offered under Grandfathering for a limited time:

Hold a minimum of a Masters degree applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying from an accredited educational institution;

Hold active and in good standing professional state licensure/state mandated certification in your profession applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying, unless you are exempt from such through legislation, no licensure/state mandated certification exists for your profession, or you are exempt as a federal or state government employee. Verifiable documentation of exemption must be provided;

Possess 270 hours of formal training applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying;

Have three (3) yrs (6,000 hrs) of supervised professional experience in your profession applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying;

Successfully pass the NAFC certification examination;

Have no felony arrests, charges or convictions and no misdemeanor or felony arrests, charges or convictions for any sexual or violent offense;

Have no current and active sanctions or pending investigations or charges against your professional state licensure/state mandated certification;

Must not have previously held any NAFC Membership that was suspended or revoked;

Must submit a completed application for NAFC Membership, to include verifiable documentation of all information requested.

Hold a minimum of a Bachelors degree applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying from an accredited educational institution;

Hold active and in good standing professional state licensure/state mandated certification in your profession applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying, unless you are exempt from such through legislation, no licensure/state mandated certification exists for your profession, or you are exempt as a federal or state government employee. Verifiable documentation of exemption must be provided;

Possess 180 hours of formal training applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying;

Have two (2) yrs (4,000 hrs) of supervised professional experience in your profession applicable to the NAFC Membership for which you are applying;

Successfully pass the NAFC certification examination;

Have no felony arrests, charges or convictions and no misdemeanor or felony arrests, charges or convictions for any sexual or violent offense;

Have no current and active sanctions or pending investigations or charges against your professional state licensure/state mandated certification;

Must not have previously held any NAFC Membership that was suspended or revoked;

Must submit a completed application for NAFC Membership, to include verifiable documentation of all information requested.

NAFC requires that an NAFC Candidate meet all requirements set forth, and pass a content valid, reliable written examination. NAFC certification examinations are based on the knowledge and skills required, at minimum, of a competent practitioner practicing in their profession.

Upon verification and approval of your application, NAFC will begin the scheduling process of your proctored examination. NAFC examinations are conducted at proctored PSI Services, LLC testing sites, and may be scheduled at your convenience.

HOW TO APPLY FOR NAFC CERTIFICATION

Download the NAFC Certification Application applicable to the certification for which you are applying:

Incomplete NAFC Certification Applications will not be processed until all requested documentation is received. Should an incomplete NAFC Certification Application be received, a letter will be e-mailed and/or mailed to the NAFC Candidate listing what is required in order to begin processing the NAFC Certification Application.

NAFC may require additional verifiable information and/or documentation above and beyond what is listed within the Certification Application in order to complete, verify and/or clarify any part of information received.

The NAFC Candidate will be given sixty (60) days from the date of the letter to submit to NAFC all requested verifiable documentation. If not receoived within sixty (60) days, the NAFC Certification Application will be closed, and the NAFC Candidate will be required to resubmit an NAFC Certification Application and restart the application process.

Non-Certified Membership Levels:

If you are applying for a non-certified NAFC Membership, please download the NAFC Membership Application.

Memberships are not certifications and do not require passing a written examination. Memberships are not certifications. Representation by a non-certified member as being NAFC certified is not permitted.

Clinical

Professional

Research

Student

Professionals holding non-certified NAFC Membership are entitled to all benefits offered through the NAFC. Please contact NAFC if you have any questions about Memberships, or the Membership Application.

APPLICATION REFUND POLICY

The Application Fee is non-refundable. If a completed NAFC Certification Application is denied, fees paid for the certification application process, less the Application Fee, will be refunded. No fees will be refunded unless the application is denied, or for any reason after an applicant is approved to sit for the examination.

MEMBER INFORMATION CHANGES

Members are required to notify NAFC of any changes of any and all information including name, address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, change of employment, change of job position, change of licensure status, etc. Space is provided on the renewal form for such changes. Changes can also be made by contacting our office or updating your information here.

DEPLOYED MILITARY

Deployed military are exempt from late and reinstatement fees. NAFC shall renew or reinstate, with no additional fees or penalties, certifications which expired during the time of a member's deployment upon providing proof of deployment status.

Click here to find out if you are eligible for reimbursement for your certification(s) and/or examination(s) under the various programs offered through the armed services and VA.

OBTAINING ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Current certified members that wish to obtain an additional certification, or change certifications, must make application, meet all requirements and pass the written certification examination for which they are applying. Current certified members wishing to add or change certifications may do so at a reduced fee of $250.00 which includes the application fee, examination fee and first year's certification fee.

Quick Links :

Articles of Interest

Update Your Info

Assessment Tools & Instruments

About NAFC

Experienced

The NAFC was the first to establish post graduate standards, guidelines, and professional responsibility to identify a competent workforce in the mental health, criminal justice, addictions and corrections professions in the very specialized areas of forensic counseling and criminal justice counseling and supervision.

Leadership

NAFC has consistently been a leader in promoting safe and effective treatment and supervision of offenders in both civil and criminal cases, improving communication between the clinician and criminal justice system, and enhanced protection of the public. The NAFC Mission is to Promote Competency and Training among Persons Working with Criminal Offenders.

The Certification for the Forensic Counselor and Criminal Justice Specialist

The National Association of Forensic Counselors is the first and largest independent multi-disciplinary credentialing board representing the Forensic Counselor and Criminal Justice Specialist.